Luke Jones Bessent

Luke Jones Bessent
Months after the outbreak of the First World War, Mr. Luke Jones Bessent died.  Mr. Bessent's residence was 2 Langland Road, Mumbles.  His occupation for the last 37 years was headmaster of Oystermouth Council Schools, where he was held by the highest esteem by all those that knew him.  His funeral was reported in the Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Reporter, 4th December 1914.

Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Reporter


But who was Luke Jones Bessent?  In this article we will be looking at his history.

Luke was born 1858 and was the son of Charles Bessent and Eliza Jones.

At the time of the 1861 Census, the Bessent family were residing at 284 Aberdyberthi Street, Swansea.   Luke aged 3.   His father, Charles aged 35 is employed as a Railway Police.  He is born Wiltshire, also his mother, Eliza is born here.  The eldest children having been born in different parts of the country, James, 13 and Maria, 14, both born in Gloucestershire. George C., 11 and William, 9 both born in Berkshire. Mary Ann, 7 born Ealing. The three younger children, Jesse, 5, Luke, 3 and Annie, 1 are born in Swansea.

1861 Census


1861 Census


A decade later, 1871, the family have moved to 51 Aberdyberthi Street.  Luke now 13, is a Scholar.  His father, Charles, now employed as a Railway Switchman.  The eldest sibling James, 23 and brother George, 21, are employed as Labourers in the Steelworks.  William, 19, is employed as a Labourer in the Copperworks. The younger siblings, Jesse, 15; Luke himself, Anne, 11 are Scholars.  The youngest siblings Edward, 6 and Amelia, 2 are just in the house.

1871 Census


A decade later, 1881, the family yet again have moved again but still in Aberdyberthi Street, but 68.  Luke is the eldest child still residing at the family home.  Father, Charles, 55 is employed as a Railway Inspector. Luke is employed as a Schoolmaster. His youngest siblings, Annie, 21 Dressmaker both Edward, 16 and Amelia 12 are Scholars.

1881 Census


At the time of the 1891 Census, Luke now 34, is head of the family, which is residing at 10 Rock Terrace, Oystermouth.  Luke married during the latter part of 1881, Elizabeth Mitchell.  Luke is now a Certificated Schoolmaster. The couple have two children, Nettie, 7 and Elsie M., 2.  Also present at the address is servant, Jessie Tandy, 19.

1891 Census


By the time of 1901 Census, the family have moved to Langland Road.  Luke now 43, is still a Certificated Schoolmaster.  His daughter, Nettie, 17 is a Pupil Teacher.  Elsie, 12 is a Scholar.

1901 Census


The final Census, 1911, the family are still residing at Langland Road, Luke, aged 53 and wife, Elizabeth, 56.  Daughter Elise Mabel, 22, who is also a Certificated Schoolmistress

1911 Census


The eldest daughter, Nettie currently is residing at 11 Castle Square, with her husband, Hubert Goatman and son, Wilfred, 1.

So, this where we turn are attentions to both Hubert and Nettie Goatman.

The Cambrian
The couple got married February 1905, and their wedding was published in The Cambrian, 10th February. But it is one of Hubert’s guests, that we should look at with some interest. His aunt, Miss Bates.

Hubert was born, 1880 Newent, Gloucestershire.  By the time of the 1881 Census, Hubert, whom is only 3 months is the son of Charles Goatman and Annie nee Bates. Charles is a Farmer of 86 Acres, employing 2 men and 1 boy, The family home Middle Town Farm, Upleadon, Gloucestershire.

20 years later, Hubert at the time of the 1901 Census is residing with his aunt, 35-year-old Isabel Bates’ hotel Ship and Castle Hotel, The Parade, Oystermouth.  Also living here are 5 servants. A decade later, Isabel Bates is running the Carlton Private Hotel, Mumbles.

1901 Census


Also present at this time, is her widow mother Isabel, 78 and a niece Irene J Worstall, 31 and grand nieces, Marjorie, 7 and Kathleen, 6.  Also employed is a servant, Jane Phillips 

1911 Census


Irene’s husband was Samuel Worstall, who was die from the results of First World War, 12th October 1920.  Samuel was ranked Quartermaster Serjeant and served with The King’s (Liverpool Regiment), having enlisted 5th November 1914.  Samuel is buried at Oystermouth Cemetery. Irene carried on running the Carlton until her death 1932.

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